[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 223 (Monday, November 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27850]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-32-AD; Amendment 39-9069; AD 94-23-07]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-1011-385 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series airplanes, that 
requires various modifications and inspections of the flight controls, 
doors, and horizontal stabilizers. This amendment is prompted by a 
recommendation by the Systems Review Task Force (SRTF) for 
accomplishment of certain modifications and inspections that will 
enhance the controllability of these airplanes in the unlikely event of 
flight control malfunction or failure. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to ensure airplane survivability in the event of damage to 
fully powered flight control systems.

DATES: Effective December 21, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Support Company, Field 
Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, 
Georgia 30080. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Suite 
210C, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer, Flight Test Branch, ACE-160A, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 
Suite 210C, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone 
(404) 991-3915; fax (404) 991-3606.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Lockheed Model L-1011-385 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 9, 1994 
(59 FR 29745). That action proposed to require various modifications 
and inspections of the flight controls, doors, and horizontal 
stabilizers.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter supports the proposed rule.
    One commenter suggests that reworking and changing the part number 
of the cross-tie interlock bungees on the servo of the stabilizer, as 
described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-280, should be considered 
terminating action for reworking the bungee, as described in Lockheed 
Service Bulletin 093-27-279. The FAA recognizes that accomplishment of 
the actions in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-280 is an acceptable 
means of compliance for accomplishment of the inspection and 
modification described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-279. The FAA 
finds that no change to the final rule is necessary, since this 
provision was included in NOTE 2 under paragraph (a) of the proposed 
rule.
    One commenter requests that the compliance time of four years, as 
specified in paragraph(a) of the proposal, be revised to coincide with 
parts availability. The commenter suggests a compliance time of four 
years after all required parts kits are available or five years after 
the effective date of the AD. The FAA does not concur. In developing an 
appropriate compliance time for this action, the FAA considered not 
only the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject 
unsafe condition, but the availability of required parts and the 
practical aspect of installing the required modifications within a 
maximum interval of time allowable for all affected airplanes to 
continue to operate without compromising safety. The FAA is not aware 
of any parts availability problem at this time and, therefore, assumes 
that an ample number of required parts will be available for 
modification of the U.S. fleet within the proposed compliance period. 
However, under the provisions of paragraph (b) of the final rule, the 
FAA may approve requests for adjustments to the compliance time if data 
are submitted to substantiate that such an adjustment would provide an 
acceptable level of safety.
    The same commenter requests that the compliance time for 
accomplishment of Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-55-030 be extended. 
This commenter performs work in the area addressed by the service 
bulletin at heavy maintenance checks, which occur at intervals of 
27,000 flight hours. The commenter suggests that even a five-year 
compliance time would be inadequate for accomplishment of this service 
bulletin. However, the commenter does not request a specific compliance 
time. The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to extend 
the compliance time. The actions described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 
093-55-030 should take only five work hours to complete. The FAA has 
determined that these actions can be accomplished during regularly 
scheduled maintenance visits (other than heavy maintenance checks) or 
inspection activities without having a significant adverse effect on 
airplane scheduling. However, paragraph (b) of the final rule does 
provide affected operators the opportunity to apply for an adjustment 
of the compliance time if data are presented to justify such an 
adjustment.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    There are approximately 236 Model L-1011-385 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 117 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 87 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. 
Required parts for certain modifications will be supplied by the 
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Required parts for certain other 
modifications will be minimal in cost. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$559,845 or $4,785 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The number of required work hours, as indicated above, is presented 
as if the accomplishment of the actions required by this AD were to be 
conducted as ``stand alone'' actions. However, the 4-year compliance 
time specified in paragraph (a) of this AD should allow ample time for 
the modifications and inspections to be accomplished coincidentally 
with scheduled major airplane inspection and maintenance activities, 
thereby minimizing the costs associated with special airplane 
scheduling.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment.

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:
94-23-07  Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company: Amendment 39-9069. 
Docket 94-NM-32-AD.
    Applicability: Model L-1011-385 series airplanes; as listed in 
Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-301 [``Flight Controls--
Modifications and Inspections--Collector Service Bulletin'' (CSB)], 
dated June 9, 1992; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure airplane survivability in the event of damage to fully 
powered flight control systems, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish modifications and inspections of the flight controls, 
modification of the doors, and modification of the horizontal 
stabilizers, in accordance with Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-301 
[``Flight Controls--Modifications and Inspections--Collector Service 
Bulletin'' (CSB)], dated June 9, 1992 (hereinafter referred to as 
the CSB). This paragraph requires accomplishment of certain Lockheed 
service bulletins identified in the CSB, as listed below. 
Modifications or inspections accomplished previously in accordance 
with earlier revisions of the service bulletins listed below are 
acceptable for compliance with this AD.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Revision                             
     Service bulletin No.           level           Date of issuance    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
093-27-A102 (Alert Service      Original       March 13, 1974.          
 Bulletin).                                                             
093-27-178....................  Original       April 30, 1979.          
093-27-200....................  2              September 28, 1982.      
093-27-279....................  1              February 1, 1984.        
093-27-289....................  Original       December 3, 1984.        
093-27-292....................  3              March 28, 1991.          
093-52-061....................  1              November 1, 1974.        
093-55-030....................  1              March 20, 1991.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: Paragraph (a) of this AD does not require accomplishment 
of any of the service bulletins listed in the CSB other than those 
identified above.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions described in Lockheed 
Service Bulletin 093-27-280, dated December 16, 1983, is considered 
an acceptable means of compliance for accomplishment of the 
inspection and modification described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 
093-27-279, Revision 1, dated February 1, 1984.

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Manager, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Atlanta, ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The modifications and inspections shall be done in 
accordance with Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-301 [``Flight 
Controls--Modifications and Inspections--Collector Service 
Bulletin'' (CSB)], dated June 9, 1992. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Lockheed Western Export Company (LWEC), Field Support 
Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, 
Georgia 30080. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, S.W., Renton, Washington; or 
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, Suite 210C, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Atlanta, 
Georgia; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 21, 1994.

    Issued at Renton, Washington, on November 4, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27850 Filed 11-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U